Henry Sullivan USA after his channel swim, with Burgess and Mew

Sullivan after his swim. Channel swimmers Thomas Burgess on his right, and Horace Mew holding the cane.

Henry Sullivan in France after his successful swim

From Lowell Massachusetts, he was the 3rd man to swim the Channel, on his 7th attempt, at age 34 in 1923. Left Shakespeare Cliff and landed at Calais sands. 26 hrs. 50 mins.  Accompanied by the Folkestone lugger ‘Day Spring’ and 2 Dover galleys.

He won the Channel Swimming Cup presented by A. Alexander and £1000 prize from the Daily Sketch. The Cup was made of silver, it was 37,3/4 ins. tall, and weighed 26lbs. The Cup was auctioned in America in 2011 for $20,000. 

He was in Dover preparing for an attempt in August 1914 when the declaration of war forced him to cancel and return to the USA

England to France: 25/8/13 (failed), 25/8/20 (failed), 8/9/20 (failed), 9/9/21 (failed), 21/9/21 (failed) 5+6/8/23 (success) Time 26 hours 50 minutes – the longest time for a successful swim untill 2010

France to England: 25/8/21 (failed)